Women’s collegiate basketball lost a pioneer in the sport Wednesday with the death of former Midland University Coach Joanne Bracker.
The 77-year-old Bracker, who died of cancer at her home in Fremont, was hired as the women’s basketball coach at Midland in 1970. During the next 42 years, she built the Warriors into a NAIA powerhouse.
Under Bracker’s tutelage, MU finished in the national rankings for 13 seasons, including a No. 3 rating in 1983. Her 1985 team that included Vicki (Harlan) Stroup, Karen (Moore) Peppmuller and Leslie (Daberkow) Johnson placed fourth at nationals.
The Mondamin, Iowa, native was inducted into the inaugural class of the National Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999. She also served as an assistant coach for the North Team in the 1989 Olympic Festival and was a member of the Olympic selection committee in 1992 and 1996.
Bracker finished her career with a record of 742-403.
